Covered Bridge FA 50 KM

6 AM at the Old Log Cabin in Mill Creek Park, Youngstown, Ohio; met a hardy group of runners for the start of the run. There was an 8 AM start which we planned on returning to go out with them.
It was a foggy 55 as we took off. Within two minutes it was pouring rain with thunder and lightning. I can remember all of us on a steel staircase within the 1s half mile of the run, when a big flash of lightning and a thunderous boom occurred. We moved rather quickly up those stairs.
The trails were clear of snow and ice, but due the the rain were becoming muddy and soaked pretty quickly.
Once at the Monkey Trail it was a slip and slide going up and sliding down in the mud. Once at the Covered Bridge by Laterman Falls we returned via trails along the west side of Mill Creek.
Once back at the log cabin we waited about ten minutes for the 8 AM group, then took off again following the loop back to the covered bridge via the Monkey Trail. At the covered bridge we had to run the Newport lake section twice (about 4 miles each time). The trails in this section are easier running but many sections were under water. The second time through I ran into one large deer. It was big and did not seem to concerned about getting out of my way. After taking a good sniff in my direction, he decided to yield. On I went.
Upon returning to the covered bridge, I continued on the west side trails to the old log cabin.
I ran about twenty mile pretty much on my own, occasionally seeing runners on the eastern shore.
At the old log cabin I prepared to go out for my last short loop. Headed out with temperatures now at 70 and foggy, but no more rain. The Monkey Trail was rather difficult to negotiate this time around. I took another spectacular spill in the mud and leaves for number 4 for the day.
Chugged up to the covered bridge and continued along the west trails back to the old log cabin.
I was tried and ready for the run to be done for the day. Finished in 7:43:28.
Got the chance to run on my birthday number 59.....................................